2026 Best Value Nursing Schools in New Mexico

1

Central New Mexico Community College
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College earned the #1 spot for value among nursing schools in New Mexico. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Nursing graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $74,923. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus
Roswell, NM

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus earned it the #2 place for nursing. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, with out-of-state students paying around $5,616. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $11,110. Early-career nursing graduates make about $21,129. That is a strong return on a $11,110 median debt.

3

Clovis Community College
Clovis, NM

Clovis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Clovis, Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $12,250. Nursing graduates of Clovis Community College earn a median of $73,387 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

San Juan College
Farmington, NM

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Juan College earned it the #4 place for nursing. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $19,993 to complete the nursing program here. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from San Juan College generally make around $67,860. Set against $19,993 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

New Mexico State University Dona Ana
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a great value for students pursuing a degree in nursing, landing the #5 spot this year. New Mexico State University Dona Ana is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Las Cruces. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,322, compared with $6,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,467 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,510. Set against $16,467 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

New Mexico State University Carlsbad
Carlsbad, NM

New Mexico State University Carlsbad ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. New Mexico State University Carlsbad is a small public school located in the rural area of Carlsbad. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,176, with out-of-state students paying around $4,008. Nursing graduates carry a median of $16,467 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,510.

7

Northern New Mexico College
Espanola, NM

Northern New Mexico College landed the #7 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the town of Espanola, Northern New Mexico College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,064, while out-of-state students pay about $14,328. Median earnings reach $38,112 ten years out.

8

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus
Gallup, NM

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus placed #8 among the best values for nursing. University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Gallup. Students from in state pay about $2,906 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,536 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $71,767 early in their careers. Set against $11,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus
Portales, NM

Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the town of Portales, Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,074, with out-of-state students paying around $9,054. Typical student debt for nursing graduates is $18,750. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from Eastern New Mexico University Main Campus generally make around $90,938. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10

New Mexico Junior College
Hobbs, NM

New Mexico Junior College came in at #10 for value in nursing this year. New Mexico Junior College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hobbs. Students from in state pay about $1,440 in tuition and fees, compared with $2,280 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,472 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of New Mexico Junior College earn a median of $71,456 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,472 median debt.

11

New Mexico State University Main Campus
Las Cruces, NM

New Mexico State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Set in the suburb of Las Cruces, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,484 in student loans. Soon after graduation, nursing degree recipients from New Mexico State University Main Campus generally make around $75,870. Set against $18,484 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

12

Western New Mexico University
Silver City, NM

Western New Mexico University earned the #12 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the town of Silver City, Western New Mexico University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,855, while out-of-state students pay about $14,341. Students borrow a median of $31,088 to complete the nursing program here. Nursing graduates of Western New Mexico University earn a median of $73,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,088 median debt.

13

Luna Community College
Las Vegas, NM

Luna Community College placed #13 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Las Vegas, Luna Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,474, compared with $3,418 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates of Luna Community College earn a median of $32,091 early in their careers.

14

University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus
Los Lunas, NM

University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus placed #14 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Los Lunas, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,878, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Nursing graduates carry a median of $11,536 in student loans. Nursing graduates of University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus earn a median of $71,767 early in their careers. Set against $11,536 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe, NM

Santa Fe Community College placed #15 among the best values for nursing. Located in the rural area of Santa Fe, Santa Fe Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,851, with out-of-state students paying around $4,131. Nursing graduates carry a median of $28,074 in student loans. Nursing graduates of Santa Fe Community College earn a median of $79,098 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,074 median debt.

16

University Of New Mexico Taos Campus
Ranchos de Taos, NM

University Of New Mexico Taos Campus came in at #16 for value in nursing this year. Set in the rural area of Ranchos de Taos, University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $5,136. Students borrow a median of $11,536 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $71,767. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM

New Mexico Highlands University placed #17 among the best values for nursing. Located in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,416, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $21,392 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $88,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

University Of New Mexico Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM

University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #18 position for value in nursing this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Nursing graduates carry a median of $18,404 in student loans. Early-career nursing graduates make about $84,023. That is a strong return on a $18,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.

19

Brookline College Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM

Brookline College Albuquerque landed the #19 spot for nursing value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Brookline College Albuquerque is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $41,937 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $78,980. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Carrington College Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM

Carrington College Albuquerque ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value nursing schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Carrington College Albuquerque is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $32,969 to complete the nursing program here. Early-career nursing graduates make about $76,515. Set against $32,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.